Iowans fight ruling on land liability

Farmers are at faultfor injuries on their property, court says

6:48 AM,
Mar. 18, 2013

Written by

Dan Piller
dpiller@dmreg.com

Iowa farmers, hunters and legislators are fighting an Iowa Supreme Court decision this year that basically held farmers liable for any injuries suffered on their land.

The issue grew out of a broken wrist incurred during a school field trip in 2010 in Fayette County where a chaperone fell through a hay drop in a barn. Iowa law has protected farmers from liability for recreational activities, but the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in February that the farmer who had acted as a tour guide was liable for damages.

The ruling involved a lawsuit filed by Kimberly Sallee against Fayette County farm owners ...